S1E4: Jim Sinclair
A native of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, Jim Sinclair began his career in the exposition industry with the Northern Wisconsin State Fair at the age of 15 and continued working at the fair during summer breaks from school through high school and college.
Upon graduating from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, Sinclair continued to work at the Northern Wisconsin State Fair until February of 1975, when he was hired by the Minnesota State Fair as an administrative assistant responsible for development of the fair's early American theme area, Heritage Square. In 1977 he was promoted to special events superintendent. In 1978, he was named rental services supervisor charged with management of the fair's concession and exhibit rental operations, special attractions and carnival oversight.
In 1989, Jim assumed the role of assistant manager, rental services, responsible for administration and management of all fair-time and non-fair rental operations, concessions, exhibits, events, attractions, facility usage and staff; in 1990 he was promoted to director, rental services, and held the position of director, sales. In 1999 Sinclair was named an assistant manager, responsible for the exposition’s Sales Division, Facilities, Purchasing and Events Groups and in 2006 was given his current title as Deputy General Manager.
During his forty plus year tenure at the Minnesota State Fair, Sinclair has had numerous management responsibilities and undertaken multiple program and operational initiatives on behalf of the exposition.
Long active in the International Association of Fairs and Expositions, Jim was the first recipient of the President's Club Gold Award for sponsoring more than 100 new I.A.F.E. members during his career. He has also played an active role on several I.A.F.E. committees; has chaired the Commercial Exhibits and Concessions, Membership, Professional Improvement and Nominating Committees; served as liaison director for the Commercial Exhibits and Concessions, and Advertising and Promotions Committees; was Spring Management Conference Program Chairman,; chaired the Certification Committee was International Convention Program Chairman and was chairman of the I.A.F.E. Industry Relations Committee.
Sinclair is a Certified Fair Executive and 2012 graduate of the IAFE Institute of Fair Management. He served as I.A.F.E Zone 4 Director was elected Second Vice Chairman of the I.A.F.E. Board in December, 2008, was named I.A.F.E. First Vice Chairman in 2010, and served as 2011 IAFE Board Chair . Jim was also a 2017 Showmen’s League of America Hall of Honor recipient.
Jim has also served his community on the boards of the Roseville Visitors Association and Suburban Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Rotary Club of Roseville. He and his wife, Judy, have a daughter, Brienna, reside in suburban St. Paul and he enjoys golf, travel, music and movies.
For more information, visit www.fairsandexpos.com/ambassador-program or follow the IAFE Ambassador Team on Facebook.
